Thermostat Occupancy Sensor Integration Without Visible Vents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermostats lack a visually appealing design while incorporating occupancy sensors, and they often have visible vents or grilles, which detract from their aesthetic and functional integration in home environments.
Innovation Solution
An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat with a sleek, rounded exterior design that integrates a passive infrared sensor and an infrared energy directing element, along with a microprocessor for detecting occupancy, and includes a second temperature sensor to enhance ambient temperature calculations, all while maintaining a clean front surface without visible vents or grilles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a thermostat includes occupancy sensors and vents for sensor operation, then occupancy detection capability is improved, but the visual appearance and surface smoothness deteriorate due to visible vents or grilles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrared-transparent material as an intermediary element that selectively transmits infrared energy while blocking visible light. This material acts as a mediator between the occupancy sensor and the external environment, allowing the sensor to detect infrared radiation from occupants through what appears to be a solid, smooth surface without visible vents or grilles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the principle of optical property changes by using materials with different transparency characteristics for different wavelengths. The front surface material is designed to be opaque to visible light (maintaining aesthetic appearance) while being transparent to infrared radiation (enabling sensor operation), effectively creating a wavelength-selective optical filter
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the thermostat body, then sensing accuracy and functionality are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (occupancy detection via passive infrared sensor, temperature sensing, and energy direction) into a single integrated thermostat housing. The infrared-transparent front surface serves as both an aesthetic cover and a functional optical element, while energy directing elements are integrated within the same structure to guide infrared energy to the sensor, reducing overall system complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the front surface to simultaneously serve as a protective cover, an aesthetic element, and an infrared transmission window. The housing structure performs multiple roles including mechanical support, thermal management, and optical guidance, allowing a single component to fulfill several functions and thereby managing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a visually pleasing and functional thermostat that effectively detects occupancy and adjusts energy consumption based on user presence, offering improved user interaction and energy efficiency without compromising the thermostat's appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy
Implementation Method 2
an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body... such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element
Implementation Method 3
a first temperature sensor in thermal communication with the front surface of the thermostat body for making temperature measurements used for a calculating an ambient temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.